A good strategy isn't enough anymore. The most successful business leaders know an aligned and vibrant workplace culture is necessary in order to bring it to life. Carol Ring's 6 Step Process illuminates leaders and helps them consciously design their culture for success.

Even though worker capacity and motivation are destroyed when leaders choose power over productivity, it appears that bosses would rather be in control than have the organization work well.
~ Margaret J. Wheatley
Much has been written about the importance of motivation. Being able to motivate your employees to do their very best work is a key competency for leaders. The quest to find ways to encourage people to work harder and longer seems … [Read more...]

What will the first permanent female leader of an organization facing harassment suits, claims of negligence, and desperately in need of modernization tackle first? This was the question I had when I went to hear a presentation by recently appointed RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki. In her insightful remarks she talked about leadership, courage and culture.
The value of a picture
Commissioner Lucki gave us a wonderful visual of her … [Read more...]

When I was growing up I spent my summers either at the cottage or at camp. It was a time before internet and wireless technologies. It was the time that I discovered my love of reading. I was a voracious reader. I often perused the latest novel with a flashlight under the blankets. I naively thought this would prevent my parents, or camp counselors, from knowing I was up way past curfew.
And still today, I always look forward to summer with a … [Read more...]

“Leaders of companies that go from good to great start not with “where” but with “who.” They start by getting the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats.” Jim Collins, author of Good to Great – Why some companies make the leap and others don’t
I used to be as passionate as Jim Collins about this concept of getting the right people on the bus. Not anymore. The starting point of growing your … [Read more...]

I’m not a big fan of science fiction, but I did enjoy the Jetson’s cartoon series when I was growing up. Self-driving vehicles, a robotic maid and automated appliances seemed like a dream way to live. And, who couldn’t use a little of Iron Man’s assistant J.A.R.V.I.S to help them get through the day? When we yearn for these desirable lifestyle efficiencies, no one is concerned with displaced humans. But about the workplace? Is it possible that … [Read more...]

What a time we live in! From students in Parkland sparking corporate responses to gun control, to a CEO shutting down over 8,000 retail locations at the same time for racial bias training, to an ex FBI Director calling upon a nation to vote for their values, people from all corners are stepping up.
Parkland, Dicks and NRA Sponsorship
When Florida students became victims of another semi-automatic mass shooting many of them chose to stand up for … [Read more...]

Recently I tuned into a CNN episode of the Van Jones show because Oprah was the guest. I always get a dose of inspiration whenever Oprah speaks and was curious what she had to say this time.
During a discussion of the current political situation, Oprah claimed that “we all play a role in creating our current situation. Americans need to be humble and accept their culpability.” But then she went on to point out that no matter your political … [Read more...]

During my years as a corporate executive, I remember the endless efforts and pressure to deliver better results. Our weekly performance dashboards were full of customer satisfaction metrics and cost related KPI’s. Process re-engineering was on ongoing activity with obsessed Six Sigma black belters. Despite good intentions, these various areas of focus still resulted in poor performing business units. The missing piece to all of this was attention … [Read more...]

Have you ever felt like a lone salmon swimming upstream against the current when trying to make change in your organization? Meet Joanna Barclay. For over 3 decades she’s worked with leadership teams engaged in business transformation. She is the author of Conscious Culture - How to Build a High Performing Workplace through Values, Ethics and Leadership.
During a recent virtual fireside chat, she shared her insights on a key aspect to … [Read more...]

Our hopes are high. Our faith in the people is great. Our courage is strong. And our dreams for this beautiful country will never die.
--Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, 1984
Canada is coming off a wonderful year of commemorating 150 years since confederation. It was a time to come together and celebrate what it means to be Canadian. Now the party is over and things are not as glowing as we might think.
The current challenge
According … [Read more...]